Will Jerry is making his presence felt in his first season as a member of the St. Thomas Academy’s varsity team.

The forward used his 6-foot-2 frame and nose for the net to record a hat trick in the Cadets’ dominant 8-1 win over Metro East Conference rival Mahtomedi on Thursday night at the St. Thomas Ice Arena.

The victory kept the Cadets (12-0-0, 4-0-0), who are ranked No. 4 in the Class 2A coaches poll, undefeated on the season and tied with Hill-Murray atop the league standings.

Jerry’s three goals marked a season high for the junior, who spent last year on the St. Thomas Academy junior varsity team.

He now has 10 goals and 22 points, which is fourth-best on the team.

Jerry credits his success to several to qualities.

“I’ve been working on being a little more patient,” Jerry said. “I like to go to the net.”

Jerry’s affinity for the opponent’s net was apparent in the win over the Zephyrs as he scored his first two goals by planting himself inches from the net and tapping in a pair of passes from his linemate, senior Christiano Versich.

His second goal gave St. Thomas a 4-0 lead with less than 5 minutes to play in the second period. 

Jerry said he and his teammates were committed to keeping their focus during the rout.

“We just had to make sure that we came in and did the little things right,” Jerry said. 

Joining Jerry in the scoring frenzy was forward Peter Tufto, who notched three goals and added an assist, helping the Cadets finish the game with their largest margin of victory (seven goals) since an 11-0 blowout of Henry Sibley on Dec. 18.

“We just tried to send a message (tonight),” Tufto said.

Tufto sent one after opening the scoring in the first period. The senior celebrated his goal by skating in front of the Mahtomedi student section and jumping into the glass. 

“I’m kind of an enthusiastic player,” Tufto said. “I’m kind of like an energy bunny, just trying to pump the guys up.”

Tufto also acknowledged the history between the Zephyrs and Cadets, former rivals in Class 1A, Section 4.

St. Thomas Academy started competing in Class 2A in the 2013-14 season after dominating the smaller class. The Cadets appeared eight times in the Class 1A state tournament since 1999 and won five titles (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013).

“We’ve had a past history with (Mahtomedi) that isn’t good,” Tufto said, noting that the last time the Cadets lost to the Zephyrs was in the section final in 2010.   

Cadets coach Tom Vannelli said the final score might look lopsided, but the game was close at the end of the first period.

The Cadets held a 1-0 lead heading into the second period, where they exploded for five goals to take control of the game.  

“Once we got going, made some nice plays and got some momentum, then we took it to them,” Vannelli said. 

Vannelli was typically succinct in his assessment of the game.

“We just played well tonight.”

Head coach of Mahtomedi, Joe Poeschl talks to his team

Mahtomedi coach Jeff Poeschl talks to his team during the Zephyrs' 8-1 road loss to Metro East Conference rival St. Thomas Academy on Jan. 8. Photo by Chris Juhn

First Report

Senior forward Peter Tufto and junior forward Will Jerry each scored three goals as St. Thomas Academy rolled over Mahtomedi 8-1 in Metro East Conference action on Thursday night at the St. Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights. 

Tufto’s most impressive goal came on a shorthanded breakaway opportunity midway through the second period. Tufto shifted his shot to his backhand and slipped the puck past Mahtomedi junior goaltender Will Swanson to give the Cadets a 3-0 lead with 7:09 to play before the second intermission.

The Cadets held a 6-0 lead early in the third period before Mahtomedi broke the shutout, as junior forward Jared Fladebo ripped a shot past Cadets senior goaltender Matt Snow. Snow finished with 20 saves.

Junior defenseman Jason Smallidge and senior forward Danny Weihrauch also scored for the Cadets (12-0-0, 4-0-0), ranked No. 3 in the Class 2A coaches poll, while senior forward Christiano Versich recorded four assists. 

Swanson made 29 saves for the Zephyrs (11-2-1, 2-2-0), who are ranked No. 4 in Class 1A.

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